ISLAMABAD: It is official. The peaceful interlude in Islamabad is over. Two consecutive blasts, including the suicide attack on a bank on Monday, have shattered the calm that pervaded in Islamabad for over a year, though security experts are still unclear of the significance of the two targets. (more…)

WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama on Wednesday expressed his “sorrow” in a video conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai over recent civilian casualties in Afghanistan, his spokesman said.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Obama spoke to Karzai for an hour and discussed a number of topics, including the implications of the death of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in a US special forces raid in May.

A LEADING charity has warned that Afghan security forces are not ready to take over security responsibilities from Nato troops, claiming the professionalism and accountability of the nation’s police and Army raise “serious concerns”. (more…)

Vickers has known McRaven since he was a Navy SEAL lieutenant commander and Vickers an Army Special Forces captain. They’ve worked especially closely over the past four years, when Vickers served as the Pentagon’s top civilian official overseeing Special Operations forces, including units hunting al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders.

“Bill is a great leader but also a pretty big thinker,” Vickers said. “It’s a rare balance of these two skills. (more…)

PESHAWAR, 4 May 2011 (IRIN) – The death of al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden after an operation involving US aircraft and ground forces in Pakistan has raised fears of possible revenge attacks by militants against various targets, including civilians. (more…)

ISLAMABAD — The militants wore masks, carried weapons and came by the dozens. Still, they exhibited a strange sense of courtesy: They let the reporter’s relatives leave the house before they bombed it. (more…)

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Osama bin Laden’s son Sa’ad was probably killed by a U.S. missile strike in Pakistan earlier this year, U.S. National Public Radio has reported, citing U.S. intelligence officials. (more…)